Match Report
Crusaders took a strong Midweek XI to Hillingdon Manor's Cricket Week and comfortably saw off youthful opposition.
Hillingdon won the toss and opted to bat on a damp, green wicket. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it was soon apparent that it would not be a batsman's paradise, as Skinny and Danglers got extravagant bounce and sideways movement. Slightly was particularly potent, taking the first two wickets in an aggressive five overs of successive maidens. A tweaky hamstring caused him to leave the field and spend the rest of the game making lewd and suggestive remarks to 'Mrs Taylor'.
Timmo and Spud then took two more wickets apiece and the scorecard started to look like something from mid eighties Crusader history.
In an effort to throw Hillingdon a lifeline, Wajih brought himself on. Runs came but wickets continued to fall. Debutant Anand Kumar, bowling some of the liveliest spin bowling I have ever seen, picked up a brace and it was left to Slap 'the finisher' Singh to wrap up the Hillingdon innings for 94.
With tea not ready, Hillingdon had the opportunity to strike back immediately. Unfortunately they bowled too short and found Jagdesh in sparkling form. His 39 included a massive straight six and a superb pull-shot for four, before he fell with the score on 65. Ralph (22*) and Chand (22*) (always the best of mates) took us to target with few scares.
As the game had finished so early we slotted in a quick ten over thrash and despite posting a solid 94, with Anand and Timmo trading shots, our hosts exacted some revenge winning in the final over. The ECB are currently investigating scoring irregularities.
